GT3 Proxy 2021 Round 1: GVSCC Tanex Raceway

[SuperSlab]

Seeing as the cars are on their way from Kelowna I thought it was time to start a thread on this round.

The cars are expected to arrive early next week. I would like to complete qualifying in the latter half of the week. While I have no chance of emulating the incredible standards of presentation that Rob has done, I still intend live streaming the event. This will be a one man show featuring moi, sorry to say! 😁

As COVID is a MAJOR concern here at the moment, I am still mulling over how to run the actual racing. Over and above the provincial restrictions, I also have some very serious personal concerns. In all conscience I just cannot imagine being responsible for an event that could put my friends and fellow racers at risk. However we do it it is likely to be protracted and handled very carefully. I do not anticipate running the race itself before the week after next: will keep y'all posted.

Will also post some track images and general info soon: cannot put ALL my cards on the table on a first date, now can I? OK, so that is a bit of a metaphor mishmash....

Alwyn

[Fast Co.]

Anticipation...

Looking forward to images of the track and qual results. Take whatever time you need to conduct the race safely Alwyn. Your safety and the safety of your crew is of prime concern.

Steve

[Audi1]

The same comment that Steve made coming from me.

Allan

[SuperSlab]

Wow, that was quick: box of cars delivered on Sunday! Canada Post must be gearing up for the Christmas rush.

[SuperSlab]

OK guys, it looks like we have a plan:

• Qualifying is set for Thursday morning, planned to start at around 11am. This will be live streamed, link to be provided nearer the time. I will be running the Q solo and the order will be based on the Round 0 results
• The race itself is set for Saturday morning at around 11am. Once again this will be live streamed, link to be provided.
• Qualifying and the race will be at 11.5V
• The race will be a three man show: Perry and I will be doing the driving, Roger (who is the creator of our race management system) will be in charge of the system. We will not have marshals: track calls will be used for ALL deslots. We want to avoid all cross-contact on cars so I will be the only one to touch the cars.
• In terms of CAR separation: looking at the images below, we will be running in the Green and Blue lanes to allow physical separation of the cars
• In terms of PEOPLE separation: when I was speaking with Roger about the difficulty of ensuring both at least one lane between the cars and at least one driver station between drivers, he pointed out the obvious that I had missed: our driver stations make use of regular 110V 3 prong plugs. So all I have to do is bring along a regular extension cord and I can stand MILES away from Perry! Not that I have anything against him or anything....

So the images:

The track:





The track was built in a bit of a dry spell.... OK, that's a joke: EVERYBODY knows there is no such thing as a dry spell in Vancouver! 😁



The driving positions:. And note that, while it isn't that clear in the photographs, there are clear shower curtains between all driver stations. We intend keeping a driver station plus two curtains between drivers. I know, I know: paranoia....



This is Roger's driver station creation to allow for automation of our bracket racing system: note the 3 prong plug which will allow for easy extension of the controller cable:



So that is the plan: will have to see how reality plays out!

Alwyn

[Aloha]

Alwyn, That track makes me dizzy. I am sure that it will be a great test for all of the cars and for that matter the talented drivers that will be involved...have fun
Aloha
Dale

[SuperSlab]

Thanks Dale. Our strategy for running on the track is to spin around and get ourselves dizzy ahead of time so that when we start racing we unwind and get undizzy again...

[Audi1]

Do you run clockwise or counter-clockwise? Nice track - lots of turns, but lots of flow, too.

Allan

[cj74]

Great to hear Alwyn! Sounds like a very good plan indeed.

Where can I find info on your track? Just picked up a short term option now, but trying to gather information on layouts so I can come up with a long term solution.

[Fast Co.]

Nice track. Looks like it has good flow and a little bit of everything! Also looks like you guys have a solid plan for staying safe!

[SuperSlab]

Great to hear Alwyn! Sounds like a very good plan indeed.

Where can I find info on your track? Just picked up a short term option now, but trying to gather information on layouts so I can come up with a long term solution.

Thanks kindly. Unfortunately I do not have much to add to the track info. Routed MDF, flat latex paint, copper tape.

Lane lengths: due to an "inner loop" with the crossover, lane lengths vary quite a bit. Actual lengths:

Lane 1 (Yellow): 98’ 6”
Lane 2 (Green): 94’ 6”
Lane 3 (Red): 91’ 3”
Lane 4 (Blue): 87’

Pyramid PS-26KX power supply

Unique, custom race management system due to our "bracket racing" (our name for our "handicap" style races) format. The system was developed by one of our club members and has been refined quite a bit over time.

That is about it. Any other specific questions let me know.

Alwyn

[SuperSlab]

Nice track. Looks like it has good flow and a little bit of everything! Also looks like you guys have a solid plan for staying safe!

Thanks Steve. We thought it best to err on the safe side....

[Cgyracer]

I love the sand and cactus. Feels like home!

[Dodgefarmer]

How long is the straight and what direction do you run.

Randy

[chappyman66]

Alwyn.....you have been holding out on us!
That's a great looking track, I am sure it's very fun to run.

And.....what's that through the shelves in the background? Another track?

[Audi1]

If this is Perry's, then I think he also has another track called "The Rocket"; if I remember correctly...........

Allan

[SuperSlab]

No, this is at club member Ron's place of business. But yes, Perry does have two tracks in his garage: the Rocket and the Canyon

[F1Fan]

This track is the home track for the GVSCC (Greater Vancouver Slot Car Club) and is situated within a commercial woodworking business. It was completed about twelve months ago and I have driven on it once, albeit briefly. The track is fast and flowing, but with a couple of "bites" that can wake you up in a hurry. Traction would be the biggest challenge as the track has not been used much during the past few (8?) months and prior to that it was a urethane only track. I know Alwyn has a few plans to ensure traction is restored and I am sure at 11.5v, the racing will be fast, both drivers are very experienced and very good!

[SuperSlab]

I love the sand and cactus. Feels like home!

😄

[SuperSlab]

How long is the straight and what direction do you run.

Randy

I have not measured that specifically but the straight must be around 8m long? We run it both ways but for the proxy I will (unconventionally ) run it counter clockwise. Even though we will not be marshalling, that is the easier direction for marshalling so that is what I normally stick to for testing my cars.

[Dodgefarmer]

Thanks Alwyn

[SuperSlab]

Alwyn.....you have been holding out on us!
That's a great looking track, I am sure it's very fun to run.

No, no, none of the holdingness of the outingness! This track has actually featured on the forum before: I created a dedicated thread to it here: https://www.hrwforum.com/forum/hrw-a...scc-club-track It was also featured on the Western Canadian Tourist Trophy forum.

When our mentor and leader Luf moved to Vancouver Island, a few of our members stepped up BIG time! Ron donated us space in his business. Roger did the bulk of the track creation with help from Vtecfour Dan, Mike and others. Roger with Eric's help has created a truly awesome, specialised race management system to cater to our unique and very unusual bracket racing requirements.

As Chris has mentioned we have not had organised racing there for like 8 months now. But fear not: I have been testing my rubber-shod entry and potential entries for this proxy a lot, so no problem with grip. I have the prep process wired.

From a personal perspective, the only drawback is that the track is like a 45 minute drive away from home for me. But it is worth it!!!

And.....what's that through the shelves in the background? Another track?

Ah yes, this is a truly awesome and amazing creation by the very multi-talented owner of the premises Ron. It is a recreation of the NY Queensboro bridge area and has to be seen to be believed! It is too challenging for proxy racing use but boy oh boy, is it ever an incredible showpiece. I have posted images before but take a look at this for your edification and delight:









Simply blows one's mind...

Alwyn